The Woodland park City Council approved entering into a contract to purchase Shining Mountain Golf Course during its meeting on Thursday.
The approval does not mean that the property has been purchased. It does allow city staff to do appraisals and other due diligence steps concerning the property and prepare an ordinance which will then have to go through a first reading and a public hearing.
The property would cost Woodland Park $3.2 million. The rest of the property’s value, estimated at $6.8 million, would be a charitable donation on the part of Shining Mountain Enterprises L.P., the current owner.
“I’m super excited about this,” councilmember Jeffrey Geer said. “I think, overall, as an opportunity for the city and for the community, I think this is really a monumental moment here.
“It’s perfect – almost.”
The property encompasses 355 acres featuring an 18-hole golf course, a 10,600 square foot event center and clubhouse, three disc golf courses and 135 undeveloped acres. The combination of amenities allows for a broad array of uses and future possibilities.
“I think this is an exciting day for the city,” City Manager Aaron Vassalotti said. “There’s a lot of opportunity for the city to program and use that into the future.”
Utilities Director Kip Wiley said that the course is currently kept green with “straight water from the creek.” He also said reclaimed wastewater could be used in the future.
Council was unanimous in its enthusiasm.
“Outdoor recreation is one of the crown jewels of Colorado and Woodland Park is quickly setting themselves apart as a destination city for this with the Avenger Open Space purchase, with what we’ve done with the Centennial Trail and all of our surrounding national forest,” councilmember Seth Bryant said.
“I think this is just a fantastic addition and really applaud the city staff who’s been working on this for the past year-plus.”
Bergstrom addition
Council granted initial approval to enter into a contract to purchase two lots between Bergstrom Park and Vectra Bank. The additions will allow for additional parking for the re-imagined Bergstrom Park project.
A presentation by Vassalotti said the purchase would allow the city to have 71 parking spaces in the Bergstrom Park area, including accessible, EV charging and RV parking. Bergstrom Park currently has 19 parking spaces.
“This creates quite a bit of opportunity for the city,” Vassalotti said. “It’s a tremendous amount of additional parking.”
As with the golf course purchase, the proposal must still go through a first reading and a public hearing before it will be final.
The parcel of land marked in gray is being considered for purchase by the Woodland Park City Council.
Image courtesy City of Woodland Park.
Paving project
Council approved a contract with Pyramid Construction to repave (mill and overlay) for Center Street / Centre Camino between County Road and Vaquera Senda. The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 29.
The project was not originally budgeted but is being paid for by savings from the Browning project.
